The senator representing Kaduna Central senatorial district in the National Assembly, Sen. Shehu Sani has said he is not intimidated by the N2 billion suit filed against him by the State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai.
Sani and el-Rufai both belong to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor had filed the suit on Friday at the State High Court demanding N2 billion as damages for injuries suffered as a result of “derogatory” and “malicious” statements made against him by the senator.
The governor had accused the senator of calling him “a drunk, a loose cannon and an embarrassment to President Buhari.”
But speaking through Suleiman Ahmed, his special adviser on political matters, Sani said nothing would stop him from commenting on state and national issues.
The senator said that while he was yet to be served the court papers, his team of lawyers was ready and well prepared.
“The senator wishes to assure all his supporters and well-wishers that nothing and absolutely nothing can stop him from expressing his opinion on either Kaduna state or national issues.
“The senator is a dogged fighter who has been through many courts and even prisons in his life of struggle and can never be stopped or intimidated to silence by any means.
“Those who are allergic to heat should not be in the kitchen. The senator will never falter or waiver in speaking truth to power whether at local or national level.”
Sani maintained that he would continue to freely express his candid opinion on Nigeria’s democracy, adding that “those who voluntarily offer themselves for public service have also chosen to offer themselves for public scrutiny.”
He added that he had overcome “sponsored violence and campaign of calumny” orchestrated by el-Rufai in the last few years and would therefore overcome the suit.
Sani noted that his approach to politics is “driven by our loyalty to our principles, our faith, our conviction and our conscience and not subservient to any tin God or demi-god.
“We don’t worship broom, we don’t bow down to broom.”
The latest spate between the duo is believed to have been triggered by the Sunday suspension of the governor by a faction of the party loyal to Sani and Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi (APC – Kaduna North) and the subsequent demolition of the faction’s Secretariat at 11B, Sambo Road, Kaduna.